Page 22 of Fae Divided
“Want a cup?” he asked Simmons, passing behind the young male slumped at the rickety square table.
“You’re up early today.”
“Yup.” James turned and raised the empty glass pot, giving it a little wiggle in question.
“Sure, man. I’ll take some,” he said, ripe with suspicion.
James filled the carafe with enough water for several cups and then poured it into the top of the machine as Simmons’ gaze bored into his back.
“The Alpha know you went out?”
“He approved it.” The youth wouldn’t be able to smell the white lie; there was too much truth in it.
Simmons’ nose lifted, nostrils flaring. He sat ramrod straight in the orange chair, eyes wide. “Is that your female I smell?”
James scooped the coffee grounds into a clean filter and switched the machine on. He retrieved two cups and the bowl of sugar from the cabinet before saying, “It is.”
“You left the farmhouse?” he cried, jumping from his seat. “And made contact with someone outside the pack?”
“Is that what the pups are calling it today?”
“I’m not a pup.” His hands clenched, a blush reddening his cheeks.
“Then you understand why I let him go.” The screen door slammed behind Grayson, his beta notably absent.
“What if Reed told her about us?”
“I thought you said you weren’t a pup?” The massive Alpha sauntered to the ancient fridge with uncommon grace. He collected a container of cream, two cartons of eggs, and a package of thick rib steaks, setting the items next to the stove. “Make enough coffee for me to have a cup, Reed?”
“Of course.” James added another mug to the set on the counter, wondering how long Simmons would last.
“Alpha—”
Not long.
“Breakfast?” Grayson made a show of simultaneously twirling a pair of oversized skillets, the smile on his face transforming the perpetual smirk caused by the scar near his mouth into a charming grin.
“Alpha—” Simmons’ chest heaved in frustration.
“Enough!” Grayson slammed the pans on the electric burners, the Alpha’s mood turning on a dime. He stalked with lethal purpose to the paling shifter.
Simmons backpedaled, knocking the plastic chair onto the linoleum floor in his rush to maintain his distance from the furious leader.
Grayson followed. “If you were afull-grownmale of our race, you’d understand that Reed would never place his Ca’anam’s life in danger. He knows revealing sensitive information about the Athair would jeopardize her safety.”
James forced his muscles to stay loose, his stance relaxed. He concentrated on keeping the beat of his heart steady and his scent bland, hiding his mounting rage. He recognized a threat when he heard one.
“The master would—”
Grayson had Simmons by the throat faster than a striking viper, slamming him into the nearest wall and leaving a depression in the sheetrock. The shifter struggled in his Alpha’s grip, unable to breathe while dangling three feet off the ground. Plaster dust rained on Simmons’ blond head, dusting the hand clamped around his neck in fine powder.
“Do not presume to know what the master would or would not do.” Grayson’s hushed tone more menacing than a shout.
James’ temporary pack spoke of themasterwith worshipful awe. A savior of the Fae Touched who would lead them to the promised land. They whispered of a benevolentfather.An ancientLord.
A purebloodSídhe.
As far as James knew, only Grayson had seen the enigmatic leader of the Athair in person. Did he know the truth?
